Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice, updated the status of Fast-Track Courts in India. He informed that the 14th Finance Commission had recommended setting up 1,800 Fast Track Courts to handle cases pending from 2015 to 2020. As of 31-12-2025, the High Courts reported that 879 Fast Track Courts are operational across 22 States and Union Territories.
The Fast Track Courts are being set up by the States/UTs in consultation with the respective High Courts, for expeditious trial of specific categories of cases including heinous crimes, civil cases involving women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, individuals afflicted with terminal illnesses, and property-related cases pending for more than five years.
He informed that since these Courts are run and funded by State/ Union Territory Governments and not the Central Government, the department does not keep data on conviction rates specifically for Fast Track Courts.
Recruiting judges, prosecutors, and court staff, including those for Fast Track Courts, is the responsibility of the State/Union Territory Governments and the respective High Courts. According to the powers that come from Article 309, Articles 233 and Article 234 of the Constitution, the State/Union Territory Government, in consultation with the High Court, creates the rules for hiring and appointing Judicial Officers.
The Press release published on PIB on 29-01-2026, also mentioned that the Law Minister had clarified that conviction rates depend on many factors beyond how Fast Track Courts function. These include the quality of police investigation, how complex the case is, the strength of the evidence, and the cooperation of all involved, like lawyers, investigation agencies, forensic experts, witnesses, and litigants. Because of these many influences, conviction rates do not accurately measure a court’s performance. They must be viewed in the wider context of the entire criminal justice system, including police, forensic labs, and lawyers. Courts must deliver justice according to the law, which may sometimes mean acquitting the accused.
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